​The Kennedy Center’s Opera House came alive with “The Sound of Music.” The moment Charlotte Maltby began belting out the title song, the audience gave gasps of recognition, seeming to hold themselves back from singing along. A new production of the famous musical by Rodgers and Hammerstein that debuted on Broadway in 1959, the play’s stars – a strong motherly type and the seven children she cares for – offer young audiences positive messages along with timeless tunes.

To be honest, with the heightened concerns of terrorism, we were a little nervous about taking the kids to Paris last summer.  But since my sister lives there with her two boys (as do millions of Parisiennes), we were determined not to let our fears keep us from hanging out with my adorable nephews in one the most beautiful cities in the world.  It was sobering to be strolling down a street only to realize we were steps away from the site of a recent atrocity. However, the joie de vie of the city is still very much alive, which I can attest to because it was hard to sleep with all the late night merrymaking in the lively Marais district (where some of the attacks last year occurred and where our hotel was located).  ​Unfortunately, France's tourism industry was hard hit last year, with about a million fewer visitors than expected.  If a trip of your own isn't in the cards right now, to show support and help those affected, a list of charities appears at the end of this blog. And now for the fun stuff: let me tell you about our amazing trip!